Importing food for business in Singapore requires more than finding the right suppliers—it means understanding legal obligations, licensing requirements, and maintaining proper records to stay compliant. For Singapore small businesses, especially those just starting out, staying on top of your obligations helps you avoid unnecessary setbacks.
And just as important as licensing is keeping your books in order, which is where accounting services in Singapore come into play—especially when tracking import costs, taxes, and regulatory compliance.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is the regulatory authority responsible for all food imports in Singapore. Depending on the category of food you’re importing, you’ll need to either obtain a licence or register your business with SFA.
You need a Trader’s Licence from the SFA if you intend to import:
Meat and meat products
Fish and seafood
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh eggs
This licence ensures that your business is sourcing from approved countries and facilities, protecting public health and food safety.
For lower-risk products, like packaged or processed foods, the requirement is different:
You must register with SFA (instead of applying for a licence)
You will receive a Registration Number to be used in import documents
This is applicable if you’re importing goods such as canned foods, beverages, or dried snacks.
Licensing or registration alone isn’t enough. Each food shipment must be supported by the proper documentation before it enters Singapore.
For every consignment, you are required to:
Apply for an import permit through the official customs permit system regulated by Singapore Customs
Provide key shipment and product details, including classification, quantity, and packaging
Declare the supplier, country of origin, and relevant food categories according to SFA regulations
After permit approval, you’ll receive a Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP)—a mandatory government requirement for all food imports. This document must be presented at the point of entry to clear customs.
The CCP confirms legal compliance and is required for goods to be released into the market.
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In addition to permits, food importers must meet Singapore’s food safety regulations, such as:
Complying with the Sale of Food Act and Food Regulations
Sourcing only from SFA-approved establishments
Keeping documentation like health certificates and lab test results
Being prepared for random inspections by SFA officers
These requirements ensure that all food products sold in Singapore meet safety and hygiene standards.
If you’re importing food for personal use or non-commercial purposes, the rules are more relaxed. However, there are limits on quantity and type of food allowed. Still, the imported items must be safe and must not pose any public health risks.
While licensing and safety are vital, managing the financial side of food importation is just as important. From tracking duties and taxes to managing inventory valuation and cost of goods sold (COGS), accurate bookkeeping is essential. For small businesses in Singapore, having clear and compliant records can make a difference when applying for permits, facing inspections, or preparing for audits.
Keeping detailed financial records also helps business owners monitor profitability, forecast cash flow, and make informed decisions—especially in a competitive and tightly regulated sector like food retail.
If you’re starting a food import business in Singapore, you’ll need to follow SFA’s rules closely. That means obtaining a Trader’s Licence if you’re bringing in meat, eggs, or produce—or registering with the SFA for processed goods. On top of that, each shipment requires an import permit and a Cargo Clearance Permit through TradeNet before it can enter the country. You must also comply with food safety laws, source only from approved facilities, and prepare for inspections.
Manual bookkeeping eats into time you could spend growing your business. Traditional accounting services charge more but still need constant guidance. There’s a better way.
Counto’s modern accounting solution combines AI that learns your business with expert human oversight. Once our system understands your patterns, it handles daily bookkeeping automatically. Professional accountants review everything for accuracy, and you get instant access to your dedicated Customer Success Manager via SMS or phone—no more waiting for answers about your finances.
Join forward-thinking businesses who’ve upgraded to intelligent accounting that adapts to you, not the other way around. Ready for accounting that actually gets your business? Chat with us now, email [email protected], or use our contact form.
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